But later that day....

After the sandstorm this morning. we weren't expecting what followed this afternoon. The yellow haze gave way to the usual grey of Beijing air which yielded to some breaks in the smog and then we saw it.

BLUE SKY!

We spent an hour or two at one of the Ming Tombs. We are embarassed to note that we have lived in Changping for one year and we have never been to any of the Ming Tombs, the most famous attraction of our part of Beijing and usually the only reason anyone in the main parts of Beijing (Chinese or foreign) has the faintest idea where we live. We only went to one today, Changling, the oldest of the tombs. Last year was the 600th anniversary of its construction, so there was an incredible exhibit of historical and interpretive information in the Ling'en Hall.  What was presented there was the most we have seen in one location in any other place we've been in China. Panel after panel traced the history of the Ming Emporer and his wife that are buried in this tomb, and their accomplishements, and the accomplishments under their reign.  It was highly instructive on many levels, from the historical facts themselves to how history is told.